What tyre for Tarawera?

[marks]

anyone used BFGoodrich Crossengo's

any opinions?

[camchain]

Haven't done it yet but I think (from reading reports) T100 is mainly softish volanic ash, and gets a bit whooped out/chopped up, but has some gravel?? I spent my early riding in and around Turangi still volcanic plateau but a lot of hard pumice down there.

Just tried a couple of cheapies. Kenda Millville (Supposedly directional - soft/intermediate) which has suffered badly with knobs torn off, parts of tyre has 5 or six in a row gone in about 25hrs use.

Before that had tried Crossengo which lasted better. Hard to judge performance difference between the two.

Best tyre recently was Pirelli Extra. MX training tyre (mid) but harder compound so lasted well and seemed to perform well espec when new. Ran this tyre at 8psi for Paparimu trail ride (v v slippery) and cords came apart from inside of tyre though. Tube had bad snake bite. Might try a couple of MT32s next.

Didn't think much of the S12. Prob best tyre for soft and sand but no good on hard. Chunked badly on gravel. Have noticed new S12s (Thailand) seem to have a harder case than previous made in Spain(?) jobs. I think S12's flexy case is big part of why so good in the soft. Note rotated side knob on S12 front. Good for penetration on soft ground but I reckon no turning grip on harder stuff. I'm a bit dubious about S12 rears on hard wet clay (plenty of that about in 'soft' NZ winter riding). Not enough contact area with those skinny wide spaced knobs. Current front is Michellin MS3 which I really like. Front before was MH2 (Med/Hard) which often seemed to wash out a lot when cornering.

When comparing tread patterns at shop I use two fingers between knobs (rears). More space = better mud clearing. Less space and bigger knobs = more ground contact on harder surface. The other thing to remember is a so called 'hard' tyre actually should be of softer compound for better bite. 'Soft' tyre is harder compound to penetrate soft ground.

Uh oh. sorry for the wordy post, but tyres are an interesting/important subject.

[A&R]

Now here's a question I wondering if you tyre techs can tell me - can i turn the tyre round on the wheel so all the worn edges of the knobs are facing backwards and i've got the nice sharp little unworn edges facing the front?

I'm presently running a S12, which has got a bit worn over the last few rides, and rather than buy a new tyre as all the knobs are basically intact was thinking I can save some dosh here by just turning the tyre round.

[camchain]

Yeah, guys do reverse tires. I've never done it because mine always seem pretty worn on the braking (back) edge of the knob as well. The odd tire has one way tread pattern like M12(?) rear - has a paddle shape.

I reckon one to watch for wear are the knobs on rows at 10 to 2 position on your front tire (edge that faces inward) as this knob does most of the work on hard turning. Once that edge starts to round off, front starts to push. Good front tires keep you upright.